specifically highlighted by unesco in its classification of rio de janeiro as a world heritage site, the fortaleza de santa cruz, with its 450 years of history is an impeccable example of colonial-brazilian military architecture.

prior to this recognisiton, the fortaleza was acknowledged as brazilian patrimony in 1938, when the national institute of historic and artistic heritage - instituto patrimônio histórico e artístico national (iphan) included it in the list of protected sites.

with a very majestic structure and complex architecture, the fortaleza covers an area of about 7,200 square meters, all built with manually cut stones.